Chapter Sixty: A Clever Plan Initially Developed, Observing the Situation
The hall fell silent, with only the lingering north wind howling outside the window.
“But there’s still plenty of time,” Zhong Li’an said, shaking his head with a smile as he looked at the worried crowd in front of him. “Nanyang will take a long time to announce to the world that he has placed me in a high position. We don’t need to rush. Even if we don’t go, he can’t hurt us in the slightest.”
“That’s true.” Zhongli Shuo was relieved, but then a sudden idea struck him. He leaned towards Zhongli An and said, “In that case, why don’t you take us all with you, brother?” He confidently raised his head and said, “With us here, who can touch you?”
Upon hearing this, Qi Kun chuckled and shook his head. "Since it's a trap, why would he allow Fan Kuai to appear on the battlefield?" He sighed softly. "In my opinion, he only allows our lord to attend this banquet."
Cen Xun nodded in agreement, “Therefore, the lord must not go in person. However…” She nodded thoughtfully, then looked up at Zhong Li’an with a slightly conflicted expression, “If we can handle things properly, this could be a good opportunity to recapture Nanyang.”
"Huh?" Zhongli Shuo pondered for a while, then suddenly stood up as if struck by a flash of inspiration, looking at Zhongli An with slight excitement, "In that case, why don't I go in your place?"
"You'll go in my place?" Zhong Li'an chuckled and patted Zhong Li Shuo's shoulder. "What will I do if something happens to you?"
Upon hearing this, Zhongli Shuo waved his hand and excitedly leaned forward. "How could that be? Brother, look, we brothers are as close as family. Even if you send me to retake the city, it won't be a problem, right?" He pressed Zhongli An, who had just stood up, back down. "Your image in the eyes of the people is gentle and refined, handsome and elegant. I'm different. Even if something goes wrong at the banquet, I can get away unscathed by force. You can rest assured."
“You…” Zhong Li’an looked up at Zhong Li Shuo, who was making a solemn vow, and couldn’t help but sigh softly.
“What’s wrong, brother?” Zhongli Shuo tilted his head to meet Zhongli An’s lowered eyes. “You can go, but I can’t? Even if you’re worried about me, there’s still Zhaoqing and Lingyu. I’m unreliable, but with them there, you still don’t trust me?”
Before Zhong Li'an could say anything, Qi Kun nodded slightly. "Yu De is courageous and skilled in martial arts. If he can adapt to the situation at the banquet, he might be able to turn the tables on the enemy."
“If that’s the case,” Yang Xiao looked up at Zhong Li’an, “I have an idea. If they really intend to make a move at the banquet, the reinforcements outside the city will definitely not be effective. Why don’t Zhao Qing and I split into two groups? One group will ambush inside the city to provide timely support to Yu De, while the other group will take advantage of the situation outside the city and attack the city when the time is right.”
Bai Ming nodded in agreement, "In this way, we can attack or defend as needed, and Yu De's attendance at the banquet will be foolproof."
"This plan is feasible, but the specific details will have to be handled by you all personally."
Zhong Li'an looked at the confident group beside him and nodded with a smile, "The trip to Nanyang is our first tough battle this year. We must win it decisively and without any mishaps. Ling Yu Zhao Qing."
Yang Xiaobai and Ming exchanged a glance, then stepped forward in unison, clasped their hands in greeting, and said, "Present!"
"You two need to personally inspect the terrain of Nanyang and set up ambush locations. You must set off in three days without fail."
"Understood!" The two men eagerly replied, then took the order and stood aside to wait.
“Yude,” he turned to look at Zhongli Shuo beside him, “you must be careful. I will equip you with a set of soft armor in a few days. You must not make any mistakes.”
Zhongli Shuo smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute, "Yes, brother. Rest assured, we will take Nanyang."
“Don’t be too eager for quick success,” Zhong Li’an said with a smile, tapping him. “Let’s leave it at that for now. If there are any changes, we can discuss it again later.”
Seeing that Zhong Li'an had agreed, Zhong Li Shuo also smiled and readily agreed, walking easily towards the table. Just as he passed the table, Cen Xun gently took his hand, only to let go in a second.
He turned around abruptly and saw a hint of worry flash across Cen Xun's eyes, which was quickly replaced by eyes full of relief.
Zhong Lishuo opened his lips, then chuckled softly, bent down and took Cen Xun's slender hand in his palm. He stroked the back of Cen Xun's hand, his gaze falling into those surprised yet gentle eyes. A warm feeling instantly washed over him, and his eyes filled with laughter. When no one was watching, he gently bent down and touched Cen Xun's forehead.
Zhong Li'an chuckled and nodded, pretending not to have seen anything. He stood up, patted the table, and said, "Then I'll trouble you all to make preparations. That's all for today. After the banquet, please rest well, especially Lingyu and Zhaoqing." He stepped forward and placed his hand on Bai Ming's shoulder. "We will be heading to Runan soon. Take these two days to rest and recuperate."
Zhongli Shuo also peeked out and waved to Zhongli An, "Brother, I'll take my leave now." After saying that, he walked to Cen Xun's side, tilted his head and peered into her eyes, "Tongxi, may I speak to you in private?"
Cen Xun looked up and met his obedient eyes, and couldn't help but chuckle as she took his hand. "Let's go."
As soon as the curtain was lifted, the warm sunlight poured down. Zhong Lishuo looked up at the sun, then looked down at Cen Xun's shining hair beside him. His heart softened instantly. He slightly changed the position of his palm, interlocked his fingers with Cen Xun's, and led her to the corridor. He turned around and gently pressed her against a high pillar.
"Yude, what's wrong with you..." Cen Xun looked up, puzzled, only to meet his tender gaze. His eyes held a smile, their warmth as gentle as a winter's day.
Zhong Lishuo gazed into Cen Xun's clear, water-like eyes and couldn't help but gently stroke a strand of her hair. "What did you want to say to me in the hall just now?"
Cen Xun was stunned for a long time before she remembered the dilemma she had faced in the palace. She shook her head with a light laugh and looked up into Zhong Lishuo's warm eyes. "It's nothing, it's just that..." She couldn't hide her thoughts and finally sighed with a smile, "You're going to put yourself in danger again."
“I knew it,” Zhong Lishuo nodded with a smile as if he had expected it, then raised his hand to stroke Cen Xun’s head, looking down at her with deep emotion, “But in the end, besides my brother, only you can care about me in every way.”
Cen Xun lowered her eyes and sighed softly, then looked up to meet his dazzling gaze. She smiled and reached out to touch his collar. "It's alright, I believe in you," she said, her fingertips gently caressing Zhong Lishuo's chest. "You've turned danger into safety in the manor, and with Ling Yuzhaoqing providing support both inside and outside the city, there will be absolutely no problem."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Lishuo was stunned for a moment, and for some reason, a warm feeling suddenly welled up in his heart. He raised his hand and pulled Cen Xun into his arms, his arms tightly wrapped around her waist and back. He lowered his head and buried his face in the crook of Cen Xun's neck, gently rubbing his hair against her ear and temple.
"Let go, you're an invincible general." The gentle yet firm words rang in his ears. Zhong Lishuo leaned on Cen Xun's shoulder, and Cen Xun gently patted and stroked the hair on the back of his head.
"Tongxi, you..." Zhong Lishuo supported Cen Xun's waist, stood up, and gently stroked her cheek. The unspeakable love and longing in his heart flowed between their eyes. He gently pinched Cen Xun's chin, looked at her rosy lips, and couldn't help but nod and kiss her.
A tender feeling stirred within him, and the softness and warmth of her lips flowed into his heart like a gentle stream. Zhong Lishuo rose slightly and gently opened his eyes to look at Cen Xun.
But a hint of bewilderment crept into her clear eyes. She took a step back, turned and looked up at Zhong Lishuo, her hands tracing his collarbone along his clothes before gently wrapping her arms around his neck.
A lover's heart needs no words; a single moment is enough to know it all. Zhong Lishuo let out a soft breath, not daring to be distracted for even a moment. He followed Cen Xun's movements, raised his hand to embrace her waist, lowered his head, and kissed Cen Xun's lips, as if to express all his feelings and passion to her at once.
Bathed in sunlight, their hearts were filled with sincerity. The world was empty except for the soft, moist touch and the suppressed breaths that spread through their minds. The tingling sensation spread from their fingertips to their hearts, as if in a vast landscape, only they could depend on each other and stand together until death.
Dusk passed in a flash, the moon rose and set, and three days passed in an instant. As soon as dawn broke, Yang Xiao and Bai Ming prepared to set off for Runan with their entourage.
Before leaving, Zhong Lishuo stood by the roadside on his horse, and when no one was paying attention, he beckoned Bai Ming away and mysteriously slipped a note into his hand.
"What is this..." Bai Ming raised his hand in confusion to look, but Zhong Lishuo reached out and pressed his hand down firmly.
“Hey, don’t rush,” Zhong Lishuo smiled and tilted his head, “It’s not too late to check on the road.”
"I can tell from your expression that nothing good is going on." Bai Ming chuckled and stepped back, unfolding the note and reading softly, "Since the two of you are traveling together, make the most of this opportunity..."
He was halfway through reading when his face suddenly turned red. He quickly crumpled the note in his hand into a ball, then looked around and saw that Yang Xiao was still chatting with Qi Kun in the distance, which relieved him.
He raised his hand and poked Zhong Lishuo's sword, "You really are..."
“I told you to look at it on the way,” Zhong Lishuo said with a smile instead of anger, as he nocked Bai Ming’s sword. “Hey, I’m serious. Look at you, how long have you been dragging this out?”
"A formidable enemy is at hand..."
"Hey, it's still early!" Zhong Lishuo pointed at him. "I'm waiting for your good news."
Bai Ming unconsciously glanced back at Yang Xiao, then closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. After pondering for a while, he looked at Zhong Lishuo as if he had made up his mind and nodded slightly.
"Go."
"drive!"
Bai Ming pulled on the reins, and the white horse's light figure flashed past Zhong Lishuo's smiling eyes, trotting towards Yang Xiao not far away.
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